Ezra Bridger is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise, voiced by Taylor Gray. He is featured as the protagonist of the animated series Star Wars Rebels (2014–2018) and appears in related works. Ezra also appears in Forces of Destiny (2018) with Gray reprising his role. The character makes his live-action debut in the television series Ahsoka (2023), portrayed by Eman Esfandi.
In Rebels, Ezra is introduced as a 15-year old orphaned street urchin and con artist who joins the crew of the Ghost in freeing his home planet of Lothal from the tyranny of the Galactic Empire and is taken under the wing of Kanan Jarrus, who trains him in the Jedi arts, and later former Sith Maul, who trains him in how to wield the dark side of the Force. Ezra and the crew join the Rebel Alliance to assist them in their fight to free the galaxy as a whole, and face enemies such as the Inquisitors, Darth Vader, and Grand Admiral Thrawn—the latter of whom Ezra sacrifices himself to defeat, disappearing with him into another galaxy. In Ahsoka, years after the fall of the Empire, Sabine Wren travels to the other galaxy to rescue Ezra; while Ezra returns to the galaxy with Thrawn, Sabine and Ahsoka Tano are left stranded in his place.
The character has received a generally positive critical reception, with his character dynamics with Hondo Ohnaka and Thrawn receiving particular praise.
Creation and development
Concept
Executive producer Dave Filoni describes the character as a "con artist". Creative executive Rayne Roberts said: "[Ezra] doesn't really trust anyone; that [is] his motto. He has that kind of hard edge at times but knows how to turn on the charm when it comes to getting what he wants and [is] very charismatic — [one] would want to be his friend." The episode "Empire Day" reveals that Ezra was born on the same day the Galactic Empire was inaugurated, and that he has been living on his own since he was seven, after his parents, Ephraim and Mira Bridger, were arrested for speaking out against the Empire. According to Taylor Gray, Ezra lives alone in the streets of Lothal, relying on his "street smarts" – as well as subconscious Force abilities – to survive.
Voice acting
The character is voiced by Taylor Gray. On his character, Gray stated: "He's a pickpocket, he's a little thief. But he's doing it all because he needs to survive." Executive producer Greg Weisman said: "We see this whole series very much through Ezra's eyes. As his eyes get opened to what the Empire's capable of, his eyes are opened to the fact that there are people who care, who are trying to fight the good fight, and he becomes one of them."
Appearances
Television
Star Wars Rebels
Ezra made his debut appearance on television in the short film "Property of Ezra Bridger", set before the two-part series premiere "Spark of Rebellion". Ezra first encounters members of the crew of the starship Ghost when he interferes in their hijacking operation by hijacking the shipment from them himself. Kanan Jarrus, a Jedi and leader of the group, discovers Ezra's Force-sensitivity, and seeing potential in Ezra offers to train him in the ways of the Force. Ezra soon joins the Ghost crew and begins his Jedi training.